This map was published in 1889 by Ellis and Company, publishers of “The Colonist.”

In 1854, Victoria’s population numbered about 200. The city largely revolved around its status as a fort established by the Hudson’s Bay Company (Gregson, 6). Four years later, Victoria’s population was about 500. The same year, the Fraser River Gold Rush began and the town was filled with gold-miners. The gold rush led to increased land value, greater settlement and a rush of development (Gregson, 12). During the late 1850s, the first Parliament buildings were constructed, as was the James Bay Bridge, visible on this map. By 1860, the population was about 608 with 25000 temporary residents due to the gold rush. In 1862, Victoria was legally independent of the Hudson’s Bay Company. During this period, the town had only a small number of buildings composed of brick though it contained several hotels and other structures including the Australia Hotel, the John Bull Hotel, the Victoria Hotel, the Brown Jug Saloon, the Hotel de France, the Star and Garter, the St. Nicholas Hotel, and the Island hotel (Gregson, 14-16). In 1866, Vancouver Island and British Columbia were united. Five years later in 1871, British Columbia joined Canada and the population of Victoria numbered 7900. At this time, homes started past the Douglas-Johnson-Courtenay-Wharf to Pembroke Street (Gregson, 47-49). The 1870s, however, was a period of economic decline in Victoria. In 1873, the nation was hit by a financial panic. The trans-Canadian railroad’s construction was postponed and its terminus was not to be Victoria (Gregson, 59). By 1880, the population was less than 6000 (Gregson, 49). The 1880s were a period of renewed growth in the city. In 1889, for instance, a Portland newspaper described Victoria as “a city pre-eminently to delight the heart of the tourist with more than a dozen good hotels…” (Gregson, 72).

Large tear in lower right corner. Small tears along bottom, right, left and top edges. Tape repair on tear on bottom edge. Original call number written in pencil in upper right corner. Old call number in ink on label on verso in lower left corner. Call number written in pencil on verso in lower right corner.